Editorial Principles

Standards & Governance

1. Editorial Independence

OTD is committed to absolute editorial independence. We do not accept sponsored content, native advertising, or institutional funding that restricts our ability to publish critical, nuanced, and independent accounts of history, culture, and contemporary affairs.

2. Sourcing and Accuracy

We prioritize primary sourcing, field reporting, and scholarly rigor. All historical claims, translation quotes, and references must be clearly attributed. When citing academic references, archives, or oral testimonies, we make every effort to respect context and ensure verification.

3. Corrections and Accountability

We strive for precision. If an error of fact is identified in any published article, we will issue a transparent correction at the foot of the page. Readers can report inaccuracies by emailing our editorial desk through our contact page.

4. AI Use Policy

We believe in the irreplaceable value of human observation, translation, and craft. **No articles published on OTD are generated by artificial intelligence.** We strictly forbid contributors from submitting automated text. All dispatches, essays, and translations are researched, written, and verified by human authors.

5. Contributor Expectations

We expect our writers, researchers, and photographers to behave ethically in their fieldwork, showing respect for local customs, obtaining informed consent for interviews and portraits, and disclosing any potential conflicts of interest.